Chapter Thirty-Seven: Such an Adorable Young Man

Dongyang Private Cuisine Restaurant!

It didn’t take long before a tableful of dishes was served, the most eye-catching among them being the egg set. The other foods looked decent but were relegated to the corners as mere side dishes.

“Is this what you were talking about? I really can’t afford a single portion, but I can afford two!”

“Shaohong, try it out—this stuff should taste pretty good.”

Zhong Di inhaled the aroma and instantly knew what to expect from this set. He took a bite, and indeed, the flavor was extraordinary—far superior to anything he’d ever cooked himself! No wonder it tasted so exquisite; it had clearly been prepared with care.

“It’s delicious. Zhong Di, what’s going on here?” Shaohong tasted the steamed egg custard and asked quietly.

“Don’t worry about what’s going on. If you dare say anything harsh to Xiaoxin, how about I help you make a fortune?”

After this little incident, he finally understood: money isn’t everything, but lack of it is certainly a problem.

He was someone who only wanted to live a leisurely life. So, what was the solution? Let his brother take the lead while he drifted along like clouds and wild cranes. Tending vegetables, walking the dog—wouldn’t that be delightful? It was simply his nature, not that he wanted to be a layabout.

“I’ve had enough of you. Remember, I’m the one who’s dumping you.”

While Zhong Di was lost in thought, Shaohong suddenly shouted.

“Shaohong, are you crazy? How dare you talk to me like that! Jiayi, finish him off! Kill him!”

Xiaoxin sprang to her feet, pointing at Shaohong and screaming hysterically.

This scene unfolded just as Sun Miaomiao walked through the door.

“Zhong Di? What’s he doing here?”

Sun Miaomiao muttered, then turned to her two companions, saying, “You two go ahead to the private room on the third floor. I have a little business to handle.”

“Well, you take care of it—we’ll wait for you,” they replied, heading upstairs.

“Think carefully. Do you two really think you can finish us off?”

Zhong Di sized Xiaoxin up from head to toe. Frankly, even just Shaohong alone could easily take them down.

Seeing this, Sun Miaomiao immediately understood. She’d always thought such drama only existed in novels, and had even criticized authors for writing nonsense. None of her acquaintances acted like this—yet here it was, happening right in front of her.

“Zhong Di, when did you get here? Why didn’t you let me know?”

Sun Miaomiao suddenly appeared at Zhong Di’s side, slipping her arm around his.

“Sun Miaomiao?”

Zhong Di instinctively tried to pull his arm away, but Sun Miaomiao held on tightly.

Today, Sun Miaomiao wore a blue-and-white short dress, her long, pale legs encased in nude stockings. Her delicate feet were adorned with elegant silver heels, and a simple red string was tied around her fair ankle. When she’d been out in the fields earlier, she wore casual clothes—though she looked fresh and refined, she lacked the aura she now radiated.

“So this is where your bravado comes from! Turns out you’re being kept by a rich woman!”

Seeing a woman appear—one slightly more beautiful than herself—Xiaoxin instinctively tried to disparage her.

Smack!

Sun Miaomiao slapped Xiaoxin across the face.

“Ahh! How dare you slap me! Jiayi, finish off this filthy bitch!”

Xiaoxin screamed in rage. Shaohong watched calmly; at that moment, he finally realized that Xiaoxin wasn’t nearly as perfect as she seemed.

Smack!

Wang Jiayi slapped Xiaoxin across the face.

“Wang Jiayi, you’re crazy too! You were supposed to hit her!” Xiaoxin stared at Wang Jiayi in disbelief, then pointed at Sun Miaomiao.

“Um, sorry about that,” Wang Jiayi said, then ignored Xiaoxin completely and walked out. He hadn’t expected the Sun family’s princess to know these two people; judging by their interaction, they were very close indeed.

“Wang Jiayi, I… I’m breaking up with you!”

Watching Wang Jiayi leave, Xiaoxin completely lost control.

“Security, escort this person out.”

Sun Miaomiao said this, then pulled Zhong Di away from the booth, leaving Xiaoxin standing alone. It wasn’t until the security guards came to remove her that Xiaoxin finally came to her senses.

“Shaohong… Shaohong… help me! As long as you help me, I’ll do anything you ask!”

Xiaoxin called out helplessly to Shaohong.

Seeing Xiaoxin like this, Shaohong chose to quietly follow behind Zhong Di, saying nothing. He was utterly disillusioned today.

“Didn’t you keep saying you loved me? Didn’t you say you’d give me everything? Liar! Liar! All you men are liars…”

Even as they ascended the stairs, Xiaoxin’s anguished cries could still be faintly heard.

“If there’s nothing else, we’ll head home now.”

It was only when they reached the second floor that Zhong Di managed to pull his hand free. He was dating Wenya, but aside from a hug, he’d basically done nothing—having someone cling to his arm like that made him quite shy.

“I just helped you, and now you want to run off?”

Sun Miaomiao lightly tapped her heel, producing a crisp sound on the floor.

“I really have things to do—gotta go!”

Zhong Di tugged Shaohong along and hurried downstairs, quickly leaving the Dongyang Private Cuisine Restaurant.

Watching Zhong Di leave, Sun Miaomiao murmured, “Not only is he shy, he blushes too!” She glanced around—apparently no one had noticed.

“Ahh! Such a cute young man!”

...

After leaving Dongyang, Zhong Di prepared to head home; a mountain of work awaited him in the garden.

“Zhong Di, thanks.”

“No need for thanks. What you said today was genuine, real man stuff. That’s the Shaohong I know. So, what are your plans?”

With Xiaoxin’s problem solved, the focus shifted to Shaohong. Back in Dongyang, Zhong Di had already planned to bring Shaohong along to make a bit of money.

If you hire outsiders, there’s always a risk of secrets being discovered. Shaohong was someone he could trust, stubbornly loyal, and thus the perfect candidate—just depended on whether he was willing.

“Didn’t you say you’d help me get rich? You’re not going back on your word, are you? I owe quite a bit of money and need to pay it off.”

After everything that had just happened, he still felt a twinge of pain, but it was much better now, nowhere near as agonizing as before.

“I meant it. Are you up for farming?”

“Farming? How can you make money with that?”

Hearing Zhong Di mention farming, Shaohong’s enthusiasm cooled by half.

“Just say yes or no—I’m serious.”

Zhong Di didn’t care what Shaohong thought; he just wanted an answer. No amount of explanation would help—only action would prove his point.

Seeing Zhong Di’s earnest look, Shaohong wondered if there really was some secret way.

Back in school, Shaohong had given up on his studies; he hadn’t expected to be assigned to this major, and if it weren’t for Zhong Di, he would have switched. To be honest, Zhong Di was excellent at his field—top grades across the board, and plenty of fresh ideas.

“I’m in, of course I’m in. I trust you. But you know, my diploma’s basically a joke; I can handle the basics, but anything deeper, I’m clueless.”

“Fine, let’s go!”

Zhong Di drove his electric tricycle, taking Shaohong out to the fields. Not knowing anything was perfect—easier to fool, after all.